I got some funny looks on my way back to the dorm. But nobody stopped me, or asked a question. When I returned to my room I found Skadi and Helena there. Both were practising their magic. Helena tried to form an ice knife over a bucket of water and Skadi was using her telekinesis on a pen.

Both looked at me as I walked through the door.

“Why are there purple eyes staring at me from your head?” Skadi asked.

“Meet Nyx, my first undead!” I announced and lifted her from my head. The undead kitty looked around curiously while I held her. Then she jumped to the floor to explore.

“Awww, it’s so cute!” Helena said.

Skadi frowned. “How did you manage that? I thought you had not learned the spell for that yet. And your skeleton was a lot larger.”

Helena snatched the pen from Skadi and tried to play with Nyx.

“Ah, there were some complications… The skeleton was a trap and the strengthening mixture was tampered with. An actual undead creature was sealed in those bones. I got lucky, had an inspiration and managed to cast a spell to control it. Erik Hailstorm is looking into the incident. But now I have Nyx! She can change her size.”

“Wait, someone tried to kill you? Tell us exactly what happened!” Skadi demanded.

So I sat down and started describing the events in more detail. Including my discussion with Erik and Horas, and my visit to Gronir afterwards. Which brought us back to Nyx.

We all looked at the undead. After watching the pen in front of her for a while she pounced with incredible speed. There was a crunching sound as she started chewing her prize.

“She also has a frost aspect! But I have not seen her use it yet.” I added.

“Nyx is certainly quick. How good is she in a fight?” Helena asked.

“I have no idea.” I admitted.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“We need to go hunting!” Helena suggested.

“Uh, I am not supposed to leave the academy, remember?”

“You could ask our combat instructor to fight her.” Skadi suggested. “Or any other teacher, I suppose. I bet some of them are curious.”

“Maybe. I have advanced death magic tomorrow. I can ask Gronir about it.”

“Let’s continue this conversation in the mess hall, we have practised enough for today.” Helena declared.

Skadi looked at her destroyed pen and shrugged. “Sure. Looks like I need to find something new to levitate anyway.”

As we started to leave Nyx jumped on my head again. I wondered if I should tell her to walk by herself. But I decided to indulge her, for now.

Thankfully she did not show any interest in our food. Instead she curled up on the table. I had a beef stew and some fresh bread. “You know, I am getting used to the food here.” Helena said. She had gone for the same dish. “It’s not as bad as I first thought.”

“You have no taste. In food and in company.” Archibald said. We did not notice him until he stood next to our table. He was accompanied by his betrothed Florence and his sycophants Simon, Jack and Eva.

“A skeleton on the table? Seriously, that is disgusting.” Florence said.

Simon stepped forward and reached for Nyx. My undead had not moved this whole time. So they seemed to think we simply had some bones with us. As the hand closed in, two purple eyes opened.

Simon froze. His fingers were about 30 centimetres away from Nyx. The undead feline stared at him.

Archibald had talked rather loudly before, to ensure others heard his insults. He clearly wanted to make a scene. That meant a few other students were watching. Simon was aware of the audience and did not want to look weak.

“Glowing purple eyes? Really? What a cheap trick.” He tried to grab her head. That was a bad move.

Because she grew. Thankfully the furniture was quite sturdy. So it did not break, even with a full sized panther now sitting on the table. Then again, how much did she weigh anyway? She was only a skeleton after all.

Simon let go of her head and slowly stepped back. Nyx hopped off the table.

“She is trying to kill us! This is an attack!” Archibald shouted.

“Nyx has not done anything!” I responded. “Just go away and let us eat in peace.”

I was a bit nervous. If my undead harmed anyone it would be my fault. I would be responsible. I had no idea how deadly she was and how quickly I could stop her.

“What is going on?” A deep voice inquired. He was a fourth year student, judging by his uniform. He saw the commotion and approached us.

“An assassination attempt! This filth dared to attack us!” Florence said.

“Really?” The man looked at Nyx. “If that skeleton had been ordered to attack, you would be lying on the floor, screaming. But why does a first year command such an undead?”

“Because she is a genius!” Helena said.

“I don’t think I can talk about it. You will have to ask the principal.” I responded.

“Favouritism! This academy is not what it used to be! My father will hear about that!” Archibald said. Then he left with his followers.

“Well, just make sure it does not attack anyone.” The fourth year said and left as well.

Nyx watched them retreat. Satisfied that the threat was gone she shrunk and hopped back on the table.

“Now I really want to see her in combat.” Skadi said.

“Me too!” Helena agreed.

I was certainly curious as well. Maybe I could ask a teacher tomorrow.